Spring 2011, Vol. LV, No. 3 Page 1

Major Superiors Gather in Castlegandolfo, Italy

Superior General Brother Yannick

Houssay convoked the major superiors of the congregation for a 9- day session aimed at preparing for the 2012 General Chapter. The assembly gathered March 2-9 at the Casa Mennesiana in Castlegandolfo in the Alban Hills outside Rome.

Membership included the provincials and vice provincials, the assistant provincials of Canada and France and the members of the General Council. They represent the twelve administrative sectors of the congregation comprising 880 members in 25 countries. Brother Lessard, provincial, represented the 23 Brothers of the Members of the English Speaking Group: seated Br. Edward Ismail (/Kenya), Notre Dame Province, USA. Assistant Br. Gerard Byaruhanga, Br. Gerard Mwebe (). Standing: Br. Robert Smyth (Canada), Br. Jerome Lessard (USA), Br. Claude Beauchesne (Congo/Rwanda), Br. Guy Morisette (Japan/Philippines) The major superiors’ gathering may occur twice in between general A preparatory committee, in place for evangelization in the light of the chapters held every 6 years. It some time already, presented a Brothers’ education charism. occasions a review of the reflection paper assessing the work of Brainstorming over the 2012 responsibilities of the superiors vis-à- evangelization in each province. A General Chapter produced some vis the challenges faced in their summary of the written reports interesting suggestions regarding provinces. Beginning with a review of provided a guide for this March preparing for and holding that the implementations of the last assembly’s discussions. assembly. assembly’s recommendations, the meeting dealt especially with the One day was given to study The 26 th General Chapter preparatory work for the 2012 General Benedict’s Apostolic Exhortation March 1-15, 2012 Chapter whose theme will be: Verbum Domini . A theology professor Ploermel, France EDUCATION AND from the Salesian University in Rome, EVANGELIZING TODAY . Fr. Jose Luis Moral, facilitated a discussion of the topic of

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Ugandan Brothers Join Walsh Community

Three Ugandan Brothers enjoys meeting people, Kisubi Brothers’ University. arrived in Ohio in time for learning new things including He loves to sing and travel, the 2010 fall semester, to mechanics, sharing ideas and and speaks many languages undertake advanced studies. discussions, travel, reading including Italian and French. The LaMennais Hall and writing, taking care of community at WU is nature, etc. Brother Pius Ochwo, a delighted to have these Brother since 1988, holds an confreres living with them Brother Denis Katusiime M.A. in Development Studies during their studies. has been a Brother since and an advanced diploma in 1990. He holds a license in Education Management from Brother Muyunga , a Philosophical Anthropology Uganda Martyrs’ University, Brother since 1995, took his from the Angelicum (in a B.A. in Music and a final vows in Tokyo, Japan Rome), a Postgraduate Diploma in MDD from where for six years he joined Diploma in African Studies Makerere U., both in Uganda. another Ugandan and some from the Maryknoll Institute He has taught in four Canadian Brothers at St. in Nairobi, a diploma in secondary schools, was Mary’s International School. Spirituality and Spiritual headmaster at one of them, He has a degree in English Direction from Tangaza and Academic Registrar at Language and Literature. He College, also in Nairobi, and Kisubi Brothers’ University served in several is now pursuing a Ph.D. in for four years. He is pursuing communities and schools in Cultural Foundations of a Ph.D. in Evaluation and Uganda for nine years before Education also at Kent State Measurement at Kent State going to Tokyo, and is now University. Until recently he University. He loves singing pursuing a Master’s Degree worked in our houses of and acting. in Education at Walsh U. He formation in Uganda and at Br. Ernest Paquet

Br. Joseph Muyunga Br. Denis Katusiime Br. Pius Ochwo

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Advisory Committee Launched in Alfred

Last fall an advisory committee was formed for the study of the future disposition of the Brothers’ property in Alfred, ME. Brother Jerome Lessard, Provincial, with the advice of his council decided it was time to launch a study of the options available to the province regarding the future uses of the property, providing a basis for any decisions taken regarding the future sale of any parcel of land.

The group of eight is constituted by representatives from a varied and rich background. They have had over the years a supportive relationship with the Brothers. Monthly meetings, chaired by Br. Jerome, Seated: Vincent Gallucci, Vanasse, Frank Butterworth, are held on the NDI campus. Each meeting is Dick Bergeron; Standing: Sr. Chris Loughlin, OP, Sr. Rita- dedicated to the review of one aspect of the study, Mae Bissonnette, RSR, Br. Jerome Lessard, FIC, Alan Nelson, usually with the help of an invited guest presenter. Frechette

On board is a retired school superintendent, a retired local businessman, a diocesan chancellor, a legal expert in property matters, an insurance agent, a realtor, a K.of C. field agent, and a Massachusetts Sister experienced in working with religious communities in establishing land trusts.

The timing of this study is right. The Brothers face no urgent need for any immediate decision. Some options take years to study and execute. Relying on expert input makes for a more comprehensive study. The Brothers provide the vision; the committee offers its collective enthusiasm and interest in scrutinizing the possibilities, raising questions and making recommendations. This is a sign that the age of the active Catholic laity has arrived.

News in brief THE CLARION The quarterly newsletter is Catherine Gardens was year he had to terminate his published by the Brothers of officially launched on Dec. pastoral work in Trois- Christian Instruction of the Notre 10, 2010 at a ribbon-cutting Rivieres, and relocate to the Dame Province, USA. It is financed ceremony held on the Brothers’ infirmary in La by donations from its readers. grounds of the former Mount Prairie, QC. Brother taught Assumption Institute in in Fall River (1965-8), Publisher: Br. Jerome Lessard, FIC Plattsburgh, NY. The $8 worked at NDI (1982-6), Staff: Brothers Robert Michaud million undertaking provides returning to Alfred to direct And David Denicourt 31 downtown affordable the Notre Dame Spiritual apartments, especially for Center (1990-92). His funeral To receive by mail or senior citizens and working and burial took place in electronically, please use this families with median Pointe-du-Lac on Feb. 8. contact information: incomes. Address: Zachary Tierman , age 6, the The Clarion Desk Frequent visitor and member grand-nephew of Br. James P.O. Box 159 of Notre Dame Province for Lacasse, died in East Alfred, ME 04002-0159 several years, Canadian Br. Rochester, NH, on April 9 Tel. 207-324-0067 Ovide Fortier died on Feb. after a 5-year battle with a Email [email protected] 1, 2011, at the age of 87. Due rare form of leukemia. May Web http://www.ficbrothers.org/ to serious health issues last he rest in peace.

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Thanks to our Update from Japan: D+S Clarion Readers: Mark Your Our Brothers' schools in Tokyo, Shizuoka, Marc Bolduc and Yokohama were not affected by the Calendars! Norman Brault March 11 earthquake that struck Japan nor Lorraine Copan by the ensuing tsunami that struck th e Saturday, July 9, 2011 Pete Delesdernier + northeast coastline.

Rev. Wilfrid DeRoche*

Mennaisian Pilgrimage James & Ann DesRoches*

Notre Dame Institute T. and Sue Doiron*

Alfred, ME Sr. Constance Drouin

Paul Dumais

11:00 a.m. Prayer Service Normand Fisette

Paul & Ann Garriepy*

Honoring the Brothers’ Eugene Halle

Founder Lorraine Laitres Ven. John de la Mennais. Patrick Lausier 1780-1860 Mike and Kathy Loewe* Raymond Morrissette Notification of plans to attend Rev. Armand Neault should be made to a Brother for Louis Parisien the buffet lunch. Theodore Richard Jaqueline Smith Normand Valiquette

*To the subscribers of

"May schools have been LaMennais Magazine:

founded to make Jesus Gilles Auger Christ known." Bob & Muriel Black Norman Boulet Fr. John-Mary to Mr. de Sheila Foley Salvandy, French Minister of Roger Lamontagne Mennaisian display, NDI, Public Ministry Roland Pomerleau work of Br. Donald Lapointe Ronald Traynor

The Clarion Nonprofit Org Spring, 2011 US Postage PO Box 159 PAID Permit No. 13 Alfred, ME 04002-0159 ALFRED, ME

AAlleluia

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